He stepped forward, and the air itself seemed to hum. With a low rumble, the stone floor beneath them shifted, parting in seamless geometric lines. Thin veins of pale blue light traced the cracks, and in an instant the sterile chamber dissolved into a vast, mist-shrouded battlefield. Floating towers drifted high above, their foundations untethered by gravity.
Ryn's smirk widened.
"Aether-tier simulation. Now we're talking."
Sylis rolled his shoulders, his towering frame tense with anticipation.
"It's been weeks since we had clearance for this. I was starting to think you'd gone soft on us, Veylan."
"Spread out," Veylan ordered, his tone sharp and commanding. "Treat this as live combat. If you die here, you'll wish it had been real."
The mist swirled violently as spectral constructs emerged — towering armored warriors with blades of pure energy. They moved like predators, each step heavy and precise.
Ryn giggled under her breath, her hands glowing faintly.
"Let's make this fun."
She leapt forward, her form splitting into a half-dozen flickering silhouettes — Mirage Bloom.
The illusions darted in different directions, weaving between the enemy ranks and confusing their targeting systems. Two constructs lunged at a phantom Ryn, leaving their flanks wide open.
"Left side — mine!" Sylis barked.
He slammed a massive gauntlet into the ground. A shimmering dome of energy erupted around him — Aegis Ward — just as three constructs launched beams of searing light. The barrier absorbed the blasts, cracks spreading but holding firm.
"Stay behind me if you don't want to get fried!" he growled.
While their attention was on Sylis, Veylan vanished in a blur — Phantom Step.
An afterimage shimmered where he'd been standing, then dissipated as he reappeared behind a construct, his blade slicing upward in a perfect arc.
The strike was surgical, disabling its core in a single motion.
"They're slow," Veylan said calmly, his eyes never leaving the shifting battlefield.
"Ryn, escalate. Sylis, hold the line."
"You got it, boss." Ryn twirled a dagger, the blade glowing sickly green — Venom Edge.
She darted between two confused constructs, slashing their legs and arms in a blur.
The paralyzing magic took hold instantly, leaving them stiff and helpless.
Sylis grinned fiercely.
"My turn."
He stomped hard, sending a thunderous shockwave through the arena floor — Shock Tremor.
The ground rippled like water, throwing entire clusters of enemies off balance.
Several collapsed outright, their weapons clattering away.
Veylan surged forward, seizing the opening.
His blade shimmered unnaturally as he unleashed Rift Edge, a strike so sharp it cut straight through the constructs' magical cores. Their energy fields dissolved, leaving nothing but fading motes of light.
The arena shifted violently, mist twisting into razor-edged winds as the towers above cracked and fell, making the battlefield even more unstable. The simulation had detected their dominance and was escalating again — exactly as Veylan wanted.
Ryn wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, still smirking.
"Guess it realized it's hopeless."
Sylis tightened his grip on his gauntlets.
"Good. Let it throw everything at us."
Veylan's expression stayed cold, analytical.
"The simulation adapts," he murmured, almost to himself. "Every movement, every strike, every pause is recorded and countered. That's why it's Aether-tier — it doesn't just test power. It forces precision, timing, and synergy. One misstep, and it escalates."
The mist swirled and the floating towers trembled. Even as the constructs shattered around them, subtle shifts in the arena indicated the simulation had adapted to their fighting patterns. Ryn's illusions flickered differently than before, anticipating her attacks, while Sylis' Shock Tremor rippled through the floor at slightly varied angles, forcing him to adjust mid-combat.
Veylan observed it all, noting the smallest fluctuations in the constructs' responses.
"Notice," he said quietly, "how it predicts and reacts. This is why we train here. To operate under conditions that outstrip normal combat. By the time James—or anyone else—faces us, adaptation will be second nature."
After a few more controlled maneuvers, the mist dissipated, the floating towers dissolved, and the arena returned to its bare, stone form. Veylan's squad stepped back, breathing evenly, their expressions composed, yet every movement radiated tension and discipline.
Ryn tilted her head, smirking.
"Still boring, boss. I expected a bit more… challenge."
Sylis' crimson eyes scanned the arena, voice low.
"Challenge is measured, not complained about."
Veylan allowed a faint nod. "Focus on improvement, not spectacle. This was enough for today."
---
From the shadows near the upper catwalks of the arena, two figures watched silently. Their robes and insignias marked them as upper-tier students, one belonging to the Expert Tier, the other Master Tier. Though only two, their presence radiated authority and quiet menace.
Both stood on a separate observation platform, enclosed in a transparent magical barrier — a clear signal that Expert and Master Tiers were trained in a different part of Havenwood Academy. This zone of higher security and isolation was physically connected to the main academy, yet separated by floating walkways, arcane shields, and wards to prevent interference. Within these halls lay exclusive arenas, laboratories, and tactical chambers, where upper-tier students could spar and experiment without affecting the lower tiers.
From above, the two figures leaned forward, their presence commanding despite their silence.
Ryn's sharp eyes caught the faint glimmer of movement on the observation platform. "Well, well… look who's here," she muttered, a sly grin tugging at her lips.
Sylis' gaze followed hers, a subtle shift in posture signaling caution.
Veylan's head tilted slightly, noticing the new observers. "Seems we have company," he said, voice calm but edged with calculation.
The mist of the arena swirled as Veylan's squad adjusted, and the two mysterious figures descended smoothly onto the edge of the arena, their movements precise and effortless. The air seemed to respond to their presence, a subtle tension spreading through the training ground.
Cael and Serina finally made themselves fully visible, standing side by side at the arena floor's edge, their attention fixed on Veylan's team.
Veylan's squad paused, instincts honed from the Aether-tier simulation alerting them to the significance of these newcomers.
Ryn's grin widened, her wild energy bubbling to the surface. Before anyone could react, she lunged forward, dagger raised, aiming to strike Cael off guard.
In a heartbeat, Cael caught her wrist mid-swipe, his hold firm but controlled. Ryn froze, eyes wide, struggling for even a hint of advantage.
Sylis stepped forward immediately, bowing his head slightly. "Apologies. Please forgive her—she has a tendency to… misjudge situations."
Cael's posture relaxed, and a faint chuckle escaped him. "No harm done. In fact…" He tilted his head, studying Ryn. "…I admire your spirit. Bold, reckless, but brave. That kind of courage is rare."
Ryn's smirk returned, slightly sheepish but still brimming with energy. "Hah… well, glad someone appreciates it."
Serina's amber eyes swept the arena calmly, acknowledging the squad's cohesion and efficiency with a subtle nod.
Veylan's lips curved in the faintest hint of approval. "Take note. Even the upper tiers observe potential when it presents itself. Remember this feeling."
The presence of Cael and Serina, silent yet critical observers, left a lingering reminder for Ryn, Sylis, and Veylan: Havenwood Academy was a hierarchy not only of skill but of scrutiny, where every action could be measured by unseen eyes, and every misstep could earn lessons far harsher than the arena itself.